Published: Monday, December 3, 2012 at 5:32 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, December 3, 2012 at 5:32 p.m.

Houma's motorcycle lovers are dusting off their jackets and polishing up their bikes as the city prepares to host the state's largest Harley-Davidson rally next year.

Two thousand or more Harley riders could flock to Houma on April 4-6 for the 2013 Louisiana HOG rally.

The rally's website with schedules, hotel offerings, registration and other information is online at lastatehogrally.com. Participants can pre-register now through Feb. 14.

“It's been a huge effort for us, because we're going to have people from all over the country,” Champagne said. “I know we've got people from California and Washington, and I think last year we had some people from British Columbia.”

Organizers say Houma's bayou roads and swampy scenery are a perfect place to put some wind in riders' hair.

“The wetlands and the trees and the swamps are something our riders are really going to enjoy,” said James Champagne, who is coordinating the event.

It's the second time the state HOG rally has come to Houma. About 2,000 bikers from across the country attended the last one in 2007, packing Houma-Thibodaux area hotels and filling the streets with motorcycles throughout the weekend.

To participate, you must be a member of the Harley Owner's Group by the start of the rally. Members can sponsor one guest each.

Registration for both HOG and the rally are available on the website. The rally costs $35 for those who register beforehand and $40 for those who register on site.

Champagne encouraged riders to register early. The more people he gets signed up in advance, the bigger a party he can afford to throw.

Based out of the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, the event will feature guided rides to Grand Isle and through nearby wetlands. There will an early bird party at Mike Bruno's Bayou Country Harley-Davidson and a biker's scavenger hunt throughout Houma.

Concert organizers are also encouraging riders to visit Downtown Live After Five, an open-air concert happening on April 14th.

The rally closes on Friday with a decidedly south Louisiana finale — a Mardi Gras Biker Parade.

“You're going to have hundreds of motorcycles all in one huge parade,” said Houma HOG Chapter Director Glynn Prosperie. “It's going to sound like a thunderstorm coming up the bayou.”

Local businesses are hoping the festival will rev up commerce for a few days as bikers swarm Houma. The event's website includes a section listing local hotels, and the guided routes are designed to bring riders past local restaurants and tourist attractions.

“We're really going to try direct people to restaurants that show off that special food we cook down here,” Prosperie said. “It's all about showing off the flavor.”

Champagne said people should watch the roads during that time for motorcyclists. But they probably don't need to watch their backs.

“We're not the kind of Harley-Davidson riders from the old days,” he joked. “We're a bunch of everyday people who just really enjoy the thrill of being on a bike.”

Staff Writer Matthew Albright can be reached at 448-7635 or at matthew.albright@dailycomet.com.

<p>Houma's motorcycle lovers are dusting off their jackets and polishing up their bikes as the city prepares to host the state's largest Harley-Davidson rally next year. </p><p>Two thousand or more Harley riders could flock to Houma on April 4-6 for the 2013 Louisiana HOG rally.</p><p>The rally's website with schedules, hotel offerings, registration and other information is online at lastatehogrally.com. Participants can pre-register now through Feb. 14.</p><p>“It's been a huge effort for us, because we're going to have people from all over the country,” Champagne said. “I know we've got people from California and Washington, and I think last year we had some people from British Columbia.”</p><p>Organizers say Houma's bayou roads and swampy scenery are a perfect place to put some wind in riders' hair.</p><p>“The wetlands and the trees and the swamps are something our riders are really going to enjoy,” said James Champagne, who is coordinating the event.</p><p>It's the second time the state HOG rally has come to Houma. About 2,000 bikers from across the country attended the last one in 2007, packing Houma-Thibodaux area hotels and filling the streets with motorcycles throughout the weekend.</p><p>To participate, you must be a member of the Harley Owner's Group by the start of the rally. Members can sponsor one guest each. </p><p>Registration for both HOG and the rally are available on the website. The rally costs $35 for those who register beforehand and $40 for those who register on site. </p><p>Champagne encouraged riders to register early. The more people he gets signed up in advance, the bigger a party he can afford to throw.</p><p>Based out of the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, the event will feature guided rides to Grand Isle and through nearby wetlands. There will an early bird party at Mike Bruno's Bayou Country Harley-Davidson and a biker's scavenger hunt throughout Houma.</p><p>Concert organizers are also encouraging riders to visit Downtown Live After Five, an open-air concert happening on April 14th. </p><p>The rally closes on Friday with a decidedly south Louisiana finale — a Mardi Gras Biker Parade. </p><p>“You're going to have hundreds of motorcycles all in one huge parade,” said Houma HOG Chapter Director Glynn Prosperie. “It's going to sound like a thunderstorm coming up the bayou.”</p><p>Local businesses are hoping the festival will rev up commerce for a few days as bikers swarm Houma. The event's website includes a section listing local hotels, and the guided routes are designed to bring riders past local restaurants and tourist attractions.</p><p>“We're really going to try direct people to restaurants that show off that special food we cook down here,” Prosperie said. “It's all about showing off the flavor.”</p><p>Champagne said people should watch the roads during that time for motorcyclists. But they probably don't need to watch their backs.</p><p>“We're not the kind of Harley-Davidson riders from the old days,” he joked. “We're a bunch of everyday people who just really enjoy the thrill of being on a bike.” </p><p>Staff Writer Matthew Albright can be reached at 448-7635 or at matthew.albright@dailycomet.com.</p>